COVID-19 UPDATES

– 19.05.20 FESTIVAL GOES DIGITAL –

We’ve got an afternoon of live broadcasting lined up for Sunday 24th May, when we would have had our open day as part of Feis Ile 2020. Instead, people can join in from home through our instagram account. We are deploying musicians live from their various bases around the country, mobile reporter units on Islay, the “malt bar” will be interview format showcasing some collectable whiskies, and Adam will deliver the masterclass drams from safe spots around the distillery (Classic Laddie, PC10, PC16, Black Art 8.1, and one “mystery dram”). Allan Logan is working closely with our Health and Safety team to ensure that social distancing is maintained, and that all precautions are being taken to protect personnel on site.

A download pack with recipes, stencils, and competition details will be available to everyone on our mailing list on Friday 22nd. Sign up here >

– 03.04.20 CLOSURE EXTENDED –

The precautionary closure of the distillery for all staff and visitors will continue while we wait to see what form the outbreak will take in our area. The nearest ITU beds to Islay are in Glasgow so we have to be aware of what is happening on the mainland as part of our health care picture. We will next review in the middle of April. Thank you for your support.

– 23.03.20 SHIPPING UPDATE –

Our online shop and shipping partners are currently operating a normal service, with the following exceptions:

– USA. Due to restrictions on shipments going to the USA, we are unable to deliver to any US State at the moment and have suspended all orders with our courier. Â We will notify all consumers who have been affected and will process the cancellations.

As the situation is fluid, there may be swift changes, due to further clarification from the relevant authorities and / or knock-on effects from our key suppliers, such as the courier networks. If there is any change to the current situation, we will of course notify you as soon as possible.

– 20.03.20 PRECAUTIONARY CLOSURE OF THE DISTILLERY –

During these unprecedented times, our management team is proactively implementing plans in accordance with government advice concerning the outbreak of COVID-19. As the situation escalates in the UK, the decision has been made to temporarily suspend operations at Bruichladdich Distillery from the 20th March 2020.

Our Chief Executive, Douglas Taylor, has released a statement on current matters:

“As COVID-19 spreads, we are taking additional safety measures to protect our team and our fellow islanders. The scale of the impact is still unknown, and we want to do our part to protect our community.

“We have therefore taken the difficult decision today to temporarily close Bruichladdich Distillery’s production functions for two weeks – possibly more, depending on how the situation unfolds.

“Over the coming weeks and months, we will be doing everything in our power to support our fragile island community in its time of need. Our locals have proven time and time again, that they are united and resilient. We hope our distillery can play a meaningful part in getting through it the best we can.”

As we temporarily close the distillery gates, we are making considerable efforts to keep our lines of communication open to all who may need us. Many of us are currently working from home and heeding Government advice to practice social distancing but we will be keeping our social media channels open and will answer or divert all queries through newsroom@bruichladdich.com.

In this difficult situation, our attentions have turned to how we contribute to our community. Many members of our workforce have volunteered to work alongside emergency organisations within their respective villages, and we’re open to suggestions for any resources that may be put to good use. A limited volume of hand sanitiser has been produced for local healthcare professionals, thanks to our head of retail by day and chemist by night, Ailsa Hayes. More on that soon.

Please do get in touch with us if there is anything we can help with, and in the meantime, stay safe.

Graphic designer Iain – closed sign not in his usual job description

– 18.03.20 FEIS ILE 2020 ANNOUNCEMENT –

Islay’s Feis Ile committee met yesterday to discuss emergency plans relating to the spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus, and the implications for this year’s Malt and Music Festival in the midst of this global crisis.

Following the UK Government’s latest advice, it has been decided that Feis Ile 2020 will be cancelled.

It will be a disappointment to many but it will come as no surprise that Bruichladdich Distillery’s open day on the 24th of May will also be cancelled. This will include all festivities within our courtyard and our Head Distiller’s masterclass.

For those of you who have entered our masterclass ballot, thank you for your interest. We will retain all information relating to the ballot for future action. We may decide to offer an alternative experience to those who have won in the draw. We will provide updates via email to all of those on our masterclass list, and will keep everyone well informed of any developments.

We extend our apologies to everyone affected by this announcement. It goes without saying that we are all in uncharted territory, trying to do the best we can for our communities. Islay, although remarkable and resilient in many ways, is especially fragile in this situation. We must do everything we can to stay safe, and look after one another.

There will be better days ahead.

An evolving situation in which we want everyone connected with us to stay safe

– 16.03.20 LADDIESHOP ANNOUNCEMENT –

A group of representatives from the Islay and Jura distilleries met today to discuss the ongoing situation related to COVID-19 Coronavirus. As a result of this meeting we have made the difficult decision to close our Visitor Centre with immediate effect, until further notice.

The health and welfare of our staff, customers and their families are our absolute priority and we must take every preventative measure possible to decrease the spread of COVID-19.

We will be contacting everyone with confirmed tour/tasting bookings in due course, however should you have any questions related to a booking you can contact the distillery shop by telephone on 01496850190 or by email at tours@bruichladdich.com.

Obviously the situation is evolving on an almost hourly basis and we will keep you updated with the very latest information when we have it.

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to welcoming you all back as soon as possible.